Contents

Extended biography

Birth

Rijkaard Christiaan Herman (Rychart) Coenen was born in 1510 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Duchy of Brabant, in The Habsburgian Netherlands, a State of the Holy Roman Empire. Son of Christiaan Herman Coenen (1470-1531) from ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Mechteld Arnoud Gozewijn van Campen (1501-1555) also from ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Historical contextThe region's name is first recorded as the Carolingian shire pagus Bracbatensis, located between the rivers Scheldt and Dijle, from braec "marshy" and bant "region". Upon the 843 Treaty of Verdun it was part of Lotharingia within short-lived Middle Francia, and was ceded to East Francia according to the 880 Treaty of Ribemont. In 1430 the Duchies of Lower Lotharingia, Brabant and Limburg were inherited by Philip the Good of Burgundy and became part of the Burgundian Netherlands. In 1477 the Duchy of Brabant became part of the House of Habsburg as part of the dowry of Mary of Burgundy. At that time the Duchy extended from Luttre, south of Nivelles to 's Hertogenbosch, with Leuven as the capital city.

Marriage

Rijkaard married Walburg Michielsdr. Haengreve (of Hanegreeff) on July 21, 1540 in Eindhoven, Duchy of Brabant in The Habsburg Netherlands (HRE).